Michigan 38, Northwestern 0
Bryan Fuller/MGoBlog
As dusk descended upon Ann Arbor, the crowd roared.
"DE-FENSE. DE-FENSE. DE-FENSE."
Michigan fans weren't urging the defense to make a critical stop in the fourth quarter. They were urging them to finish the shutout. For the third straight game, the defense finished.
Michigan is the first FBS team since 1995 to shut out three consecutive opponents.
— Colleen Thomas (@colleenthomas_) October 10, 2015
"I wouldn't say any emotion," said Jabrill Peppers, asked if the defense fed off the chant. "This is what we expect to do."
"When we're out there, we don't want to give them anything."
The Wolverines allowed 168 yards; only 38 of those came on the ground against a Northwestern team that relied on its run game and its strong defense to win its first five games. One could easily argue the pass defense was even better than the rush defense. Jim Harbaugh said DJ Durkin called a "near-flawless game," adding "A-plus-plus." It would be much harder to argue that point.
Eric Upchurch/MGoBlog
One of the stars of the defense helped Michigan to the game-winning points—on the first play of the game. Peppers had an inkling Northwestern would kick the ball away from him, electing instead to boot it towards Jehu Chesson.
"If they kick it to you, just follow me, follow my block," Peppers said he told Chesson.
A lane opened up, Peppers walled off two Wildcats, and Chesson streaked down the west sideline for Michigan's first kickoff return touchdown since Darryl Stonum against Notre Dame in 2009.
The defense forced a three-and-out on the ensuing possession, one of three they'd record in the first half. The offense held up their end of the bargain, with big plays by a healthy looking De'Veon Smith and Jake Butt setting up a touchdown plunge by Drake Johnson. Michigan led 14-0 just 4:40 into the game, which was effectively over, save for the extended beating.
Jake Rudock, who had his best game at Michigan, threw for 179 yards on 23 attempts and extended the lead to 21 on a two-yard quarterback keeper late in the first quarter. His favorite target on the day was AJ Williams, whose four receptions all went for first downs. Hail all the Harbaughs.
Jourdan Lewis had the play of the afternoon in the second quarter, stealing the ball from receiver Austin Carr, who looked for all the world like he'd made a first-down catch, and streaking 37 yards the other way in front of a befuddled Northwestern sideline and a delighted Michigan Stadium crowd. The Wolverines wouldn't need any more points, but they got some anyway on a 47-yard Kenny Allen field goal and a late four-yard touchdown run by Derrick Green. The latter score meant Michigan and Northwestern hit the over. The Wolverines required no contribution from the Wildcats.
"Pretty much every phase you look at, it was humming today," said Jim Harbaugh. "Congratulations, it was impressive. Next. Onward."
Next is Michigan State. Onward, indeed.
October 10th, 2015 at 11:23 PM ^
You do. Lots of that here. I post for myself. Not to IMPRESS WITH MY CLEVERNESS. That said sarcasm rocks. But good luck on the boards.
October 11th, 2015 at 1:59 PM ^
He might be better off on someplace other than MGoBlog.
Maybe Sports Illustrated Kids has a blog.
October 10th, 2015 at 9:48 PM ^
October 11th, 2015 at 1:58 PM ^
He meant 8 wins by the end of October. Duh.
October 10th, 2015 at 7:51 PM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 7:52 PM ^
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October 10th, 2015 at 7:54 PM ^
Targeting penalty and ejection was a joke, however.
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October 10th, 2015 at 7:54 PM ^
Great win. Took Northwesterns desire and hope early on in the second quarter. I hope Captain Comeback takes the team on a mini submarine trip this week until we come out of the tunnel next Saturday.
Also, it was Darryl Stonum, not Darrell. Just FYI
October 11th, 2015 at 12:25 AM ^
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October 10th, 2015 at 7:54 PM ^
MSU is at another level. MIchigan will have to play its best to beat them. I am confident it can be done but the players must understand MSU has played in many big games and Michigan has not. That said, there is no substitute for good coaching and Michigan has it in all phases of the game.
October 10th, 2015 at 8:02 PM ^
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October 10th, 2015 at 8:07 PM ^
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October 10th, 2015 at 8:43 PM ^
He is acknowledging the proficiencies of the team and not going overboard with it.
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October 10th, 2015 at 8:47 PM ^
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October 10th, 2015 at 11:14 PM ^
October 11th, 2015 at 12:13 AM ^
October 11th, 2015 at 2:02 PM ^
I honestly don't think MSU is better at all. Can they beat us if we don't play well? Of course. But if we play like we played yesterday, they can't beat us. No way.
October 10th, 2015 at 8:06 PM ^
And they know what's at stake and that supreme preparation helps deliver supreme execution on gameday. They also have their most emotional stake in any game this season. The seniors on this team know what's at stake and what they want to prove.
We're no longer talking about a team that is looking to define itself, we're looking at a team that is now preparing to set new standards for shutdown play and beating an opponent that it owes a beating. Play with passion and commitment to execution and you can beat MSU.
I don't think MSU is as disciplined as Northwestern and I think Michigan will flip the switch on Sparty next Saturday. For us, this game defines what Michigan might be capable of delivering this season. Quiet confidence mixed with great leadership produces outstanding effort and winning results. Just keep getting better each week.
October 10th, 2015 at 8:06 PM ^
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October 11th, 2015 at 2:05 PM ^
Maryland actually did expose a few things - slants / short passing game, QB rollouts, misdirection in the backfield - that could potentially be exploited.
NW tried a few, had a little bit of success, and then our D adjusted and shut it down. Like a really good defense does.
October 11th, 2015 at 1:23 AM ^
is not on another level. They struggled to squeak by Purdue and Rutgers. Michigan is on another level right now.
October 11th, 2015 at 8:27 AM ^
Curb your enthusiasm
You posted this in the wrong thread.
October 11th, 2015 at 12:41 PM ^
Here's an idea. Instead of curbing our enthusiasm and worrying about what the players "must understand," which I, for one, trust this coaching staff to handle, why don't we take some time to enjoy the moment? It's been a long time coming.
October 10th, 2015 at 7:55 PM ^
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October 10th, 2015 at 7:55 PM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 7:55 PM ^
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October 10th, 2015 at 7:56 PM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 7:58 PM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 8:00 PM ^
you tangle with the Wolverines you know what I mean. Another one bites the dust.
October 10th, 2015 at 8:00 PM ^
The post game column 2 years ago this time (2013 penn state) succinctly read "This was the stupidest fucking game I've ever seen in my life. That is all."
What a difference a coach makes.
HAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRBBBBBBBBBBBBAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
October 10th, 2015 at 10:43 PM ^
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October 10th, 2015 at 8:01 PM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 8:04 PM ^
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October 11th, 2015 at 1:27 AM ^
Michigan would win 14-0?
I think Michigan would score more than that since they scored 17 the first time around.
October 10th, 2015 at 8:05 PM ^
But I can't argue with it.
October 10th, 2015 at 8:11 PM ^
Am I to understand that you are submitting a query as to who has it better than us?
If so, good sir, the answer is.....
October 10th, 2015 at 8:15 PM ^
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October 10th, 2015 at 8:24 PM ^
Is doing it better. Congrats. Next. Sparty Party. The Jackhammers are gonna jack.
October 10th, 2015 at 8:01 PM ^
I had the privilege of watching Harbaugh play QB when i was a student. I had no idea that it would be an even greater privilege to watch him as a coach.
October 11th, 2015 at 7:19 PM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 8:18 PM ^
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October 10th, 2015 at 8:21 PM ^
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October 10th, 2015 at 9:21 PM ^
October 11th, 2015 at 6:11 AM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 8:09 PM ^
One of the great parts about the early lead is that Harbaugh did not have to show anything in the second half that he might want to keep off film for Sparty.
October 10th, 2015 at 8:26 PM ^
Oh but he did. They lined up 2 fullbacks outside of the right tackle and on the snap they pulled left down the line and Isaac counter stepped to the right then took the hand off wide left with the FBs leading the play. Cant wait for the constraint on that one.
October 11th, 2015 at 11:26 AM ^
October 10th, 2015 at 8:14 PM ^
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